Guidelines & Applications: Artistic Vitality

Please review our mission and program strategies in Artistic Vitality before applying for a collections grant or general operating support. Guidelines and links to our online applications are below.

Already started a new application? Login to your account.

Chicago Region Artistic Vitality

  • We accept proposals for general operations only.
  • We award grants only to professional arts organizations with annual expenses less than $1 million.
  • We do not accept proposals from amateur or community arts groups.
  • We do not support groups that are legally, financially, or operationally part of a larger institution, e.g. the art department of a college.
  • We do not support organizations primarily focused on arts education or social service.
  • Arts service or support organizations should call before applying.
  • All Illinois applicants are required to participate in the Illinois Cultural Data Project (ICDP).
  • Arts Work Fund grant recipients are eligible for our grant program.
  • Learn more about our initiative Nurturing Chicago region artistic vitality.
  • A request amount is not required in the proposal application. Grants are awarded in the following ranges, based upon your organization’s annual expenses.
Annual expenses Grant range
Less than $100,000 $3,000 to $6,000
$100,000 to $299,999 $5,000 to $8,000
$300,000 to $599,999 $6,000 to $9,000
$600,000 to $999,999 $7,000 to $12,000

To start a new chicago region general operations application

Returning grantee (Reapplication)
You have received a grant from us in the past 18 months.

  • Start a reapplication: Illinois - NOTE: Applications must be submitted using the online system, but if you want to see what the application looks like, a sample application for reference ONLY is available here.
  • Start a reapplication: Indiana or Wisconsin - NOTE: Applications must be submitted using the online system, but if you want to see what the application looks like, a sample application for reference ONLY is available here.

New applicant
You have never received a grant from us, or it's been over 18 months since your previous grant.

Lowcountry Artistic Vitality

We currently do not accept unsolicited proposals for Artistic Vitality in the Lowcountry, except for collections (see  below). For more information, please contact John Sands - Director, Lowcountry Program at 843-651-3793.

Regionally Significant Collections

  • Collections grants are made for projects only, not for general operations.
  • We do not make grants for one-time exhibitions.
  • We do not support existing staff salaries or indirect costs.
  • All Illinois applicants are required to participate in the Illinois Cultural Data Project (ICDP).
  • Learn more about our collections initiative.

To start a new collections application

Questions? Please Contact Us!

Application process, grant procedures, deadlines, or reporting requirements:
Susan Clark, Grants Manager 312-977-2700 or sclark@gddf.org

Program questions:
John Sands - Director, Lowcountry Program 843-651-3793
Arthur Pearson - Director, Chicago Region Program 312-977-2709

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In Charleston, @puretheatre and Holy City Shakespeare collaborate on a casual, refreshing "Twelfth Night" http://t.co/cRAQAznD

14 May
Neat to see collaboration among Chicago's dance companies-- in this case Muntu and DanceWorks: http://t.co/ZpRvYhqS

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In case you missed it: on Friday we posted this story about regional branding efforts in #rural SC: http://t.co/1insWBMl #Sewee #Santee

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